Marksmanship training aid

ABSTRACT

A training aid for sidearms such as revolvers or pistols that comprises a simulated (non-firing) pistol in the form of a frame, adjustable trigger mechanism, adjustable grip, adjustable weight system, laser diode projection module and mount, integral universal sight mounting whereby the diode projection module is activated by the trigger mechanism and causes a beam of light to emit from the laser module mounted in the frame thus producing a visible indication of where the training aid has been pointed at the moment that the trigger was activated.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The invention concerns a training aid for pistols and revolvers that comprises a simulated (non-firing) pistol in the form of a frame, adjustable trigger mechanism, adjustable grip, adjustable weight system, laser diode projection module and mount, and integral universal sight mounting whereby the laser is activated by the training aid's trigger through an electric switch and through connection of the laser module to the battery, causes the laser to emit an instantaneous beam of light toward the intended target. The beam spot, viewed by the user of the training aid, is an indication of simulated projectile strike. The training aid provides a top mounting surface for commerially available sighting devices. Since the training aid is non-firing and since the training aid can be adjusted in the aforementioned ways to simulate a particular sidearm, this device provides a safe method of improving the techniques of good marksmanship

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Training Aid for Such Sidearms as Revolvers and Pistols U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,423

[0003] A training ail for such side arms as revolvers and pistols that comprises a transmitter in the form of a replacable cylinder (when the weapon is a revolver) or of a replacement insert (when the weapon is a pistol or similar piece) and a receiver whereby the transmitter has a release that is activated by the impact of the weapons hammer and causes the transmitter to emit simultaneously with the impact a brief and narrowly collimated beam of infrared light, the receiver is positioned at a desired distance away and produces a signal when it receives the beam.

[0004] Shooting Simulating Process and Training Device U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,142

[0005] A user friendly shooting simulating process and training system to more accurately and reliably detect the impact time and location in which a projectile shot from a shotgun, rifle, pistol or other weapon, hits a moving target. In the preffered form the training system includes a microprocessor and special projectile sensing equipment, and targets and projectiles are simulated and viewed on display screens.

[0006] Hand Firearm for Shooting Without Ammunition U.S. Pat No. 4,811,955

[0007] A dummy firearm for training comprising a sighting device and housing a laser tube. The firearm houses a high voltage portion of the laser tube triggering device as well as an optical focusing device. This firearm is carried by a lower portion having a hand grip housing the electronic control device of the laser as well as an electromechanical shot departure triggering device.

[0008] Marksmanship Training Device and Method U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,516

[0009] A conventional firearm having a barrel and a removable marksmanship training device which permits target practice without requiring live ammunition. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a radiant energy emitting (e.g. strobe light) replacement unit for a cartridge cylinder of a revolver and an elongated lens tube adapted to be received within the barrel. The lens tube is structured for locking registry with the cylinder such that the radiant energy output from the cylinder replacement unit is transmittable through the lens tube as a narrow beam. The lens tube is also equipped with dual set screws which permit selective vertical and horizontal adjustmentof the beam.

[0010] Small Arms Laser Training Device U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,059

[0011] A miniaturized laser assembly is mounted on a weapon with the power sourceand circuitry for the laser assembly being contained within theweapon with no significant visual or actual weight change in the weapon's original characteristics. The laser weapon is fired in a normal manner by squeezing the trigger while aiming at the target. The laser emits a harmless invisible pulse of coherent light so that if the weapon is aimed correctly a detector indicator unit mounted on a target receives and processes the laser pulse to cause anaudible sound signifying that a hit has been registered.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0012] A brief description of the invention is described below making reference to the included drawings wherein.

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a top view of the training aid

[0014]FIG. 2 is an axial cross section of the training aid and the main reference drawing

[0015]FIG. 3 shows some of the adjustable grip positions

[0016]FIG. 4 is a cross section of the trigger subassembly with the trigger adjustment screw

[0017]FIG. 5 shows the weight adjustment system and optional weight positions

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

[0018] (Refer to FIGS. 1 and 2) The training aid top surface is made to support various commercially available sighting devices. This mounting rail (22) serves as the top surface in any top weight (14) configuration.

[0019] (Refer to FIG. 2) The training aid at rest (no trigger operation by the user) has the laser diode module(1) mounted in the frame (2) secured by a locking screw (3), Batteries (4) held in a battery holder (5) secured by a mounting screw (6), and a switch (7) threaded into the trigger subassembly(8) so that the trigger(9) does not activate the switch (7) and thetrigger's (9) forward swing is limited by the trigger stop screw(25). Wires (21) connecting the laser module(1), batteries (4) and switch (7) are integral with the laser module(1) and are made to length and secured to the battery holder (5) and switch (7).

[0020] (Refer to FIG. 4)The trigger subassembly (8) holds the trigger (9) in position allowing a user induced swinging motion of the trigger (9) to occur around the trigger pin (10). The trigger (9) swing is force biased by means of the trigger compression spring (11) and the force bias is adjusted via means of a trigger pull adjustment screw (12). When the user applies pressure to the trigger (9) and through increasing pressure, overcomes the trigger compression spring (11) force setting, the trigger (9) and activates the switch (7). When the switch (7) is activated, the current flows from the batteries(4) to the laser diode module (1) producing a visable red spot of light on the target at which the training aid has been pointed.

[0021] (Refer to FIG. 2) The grip(20) adjustment is achieved by means of loosening the grip adjustment screw (16) which removes a locking force on the grip tang (15)and rotating the grip (20). FIG. 3 shows some of the various grip(20) positions.

[0022] (Refer to FIG. 5) The weight adustment system is achieved by adding or removing weights (24) to the frame (2). Shown are some possible weight combinations. The training aid is made to operate with weights (24) or without weights (24).

BEST EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The best embodiment of the invention (FIG. 2) includes a frame (2) which performs the function of a base to which is attached the laser diode module(1) , the battery holder (5), the trigger subassembly(8), the battery cover (13), the mounting rail (22), the grip tang (15), the trigger compression spring (11), the trigger compression spring adjuster(12) and the adusting weights(24). Various screws (typical (6)) secure the pieces together. 

1. A training aid for sidearms such as revolvers or pistols that comprises a simulated (non-firing) pistol in the form of a frame, trigger mechanism, adjustable grip, laser diode projection module and mount, integral universal sight mounting and frame weights whereby the diode projection module is activated by the trigger mechanism and causes a beam of light to emit from the laser module mounted in the frame thus producing a visible indication of where the training aid has been pointed at the moment that the trigger was activated.
 2. Training aid as in claim 1 characterized in that light emitting from the laser diode module is a red laser diode module producing light in the visible spectrum.
 3. Training aid as in claim 1 chacterized in that the frame provides a platform for mounting the laser, battery, specifically designed adjustable trigger mechanism, adjustable hand grips and sight mounts. The commercially available laser is mounted in a specific manner to the application. The trigger is attached to the frame on a pivot with a compression spring, adjustable in tension for trigger pull, which is in force on the trigger. The switch is adjustable to activate the laser at a specific trigger pull length. The Grip tang attaches to the frame via a removable longitudinal adjuster allowing the grip to be moved in relation to the frame to simulate different front to back grip angles, whereby adjustment is locked in place with screws in the frame. training aid as in claim 1 characterized in that the training aid weighs approximately as much as a conventional, fully loaded pistol and that the final weight can be further adjusted for total weight and trainer front to back balance by means of different weights of various magnitude. 